At least six people were killed across two Tennessee counties after gut-wrenching tornadoes barrelled through the state on Saturday. Multiple twisters were sighted with residents reporting them in Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. Three confirmed deaths were in Montgomery County, including a child, with over 20 injured being treated. Nashville Emergency Center separately confirmed another three storm-related fatalities. Municipalities reported injuries, homes destroyed, and power outages as the severe weather ravaged Tennessee. Several videos emerged on social media showing the tornadoes wreaking havoc across the South, including one from a wrestling school in Madison showing a huge explosion caused by the tornedo.

The Indian embassy in Kuwait on Monday issued an advisory for Indian drivers coming on work visas after rising cases of shady recruitments. It said more Indians are hired as "restaurant drivers" but later deployed by employers named "consumer orders" as illegal food delivery bike riders. Terming it a breach of job contract, the embassy asked emigrants to retain passports, not hand them over to agents, and ensure having an employment visa before leaving. The advisory also listed guidelines like checking if the employer is registered, reporting coercion, and informing the embassy about disputes. It urged vigilance against delivery driver traps forcing hazardous work violating Kuwaiti laws. READ THE FULL ADVISORY IN THE LINK BELOW.

Ahead of the Supreme Court's verdict on petitions challenging the scrapping of Article 370 in J&K, on Monday, leaders expressed both hope and worries. Former CMs Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah questioned the security crackdown and preparations and feared the detention of NC and PDP members. "I hope SC recognises consequences transcending political transitions," Mufti said, underlining this is not just about Article 370 but the "future of India's identity." Abdullah said he can only "hope and pray" the verdict comes in their favour. But he alleged the government was using the judgement day to detain them. "We are waiting for the judgement, once it comes we will give our reaction to it," he added. Mufti asked people not to lose hope and emphasised unity to secure rights, and restore identity. The SC bench will rule if removing special status was valid under the Constitution.

Dancer-actor Mukti Mohan has married 'Animal' actor Kunal Thakur. The couple shared the news Sunday on Instagram along with dreamy wedding pictures. "In you, I find my divine connection; with you, my union is destined. Grateful for blessings of god, family, and friends," they captioned. A day before, Ayushmann Khurrana's wife Tahira Kashyap gave a glimpse of the pre-wedding revelry by posting a video of Mukti dancing with Kunal to 'Kesariya'. "You guys were a dream last night," Tahira wrote. Mukti Mohan has been a part of Television shows like Zara Nachke Dikha 2, Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, and Fear Factor. Kunal Thakur is an actor and model. Before Animal, he was seen in a supporting role in Kabir Singh.

Amid suspense over Rajasthan's next CM, around 10 BJP MLAs including Ajay Singh and Babu Singh, met former CM Vasundhara Raje, a top contender, at her Jaipur home on Sunday. The BJP is yet to call a legislature party meeting to pick its legislative leader in Rajasthan. Earlier, another claimant Yogi Balaknath in an online message asked everyone to ignore the CM buzz around him as he has "yet to gain experience under PM Modi's guidance." Raje, a two-time CM, also recently met party chief JP Nadda in Delhi in a show of strength after several MLAs met her. The BJP has named Rajnath Singh among 3 central observers to oversee the legislature party meeting to elect the CM in Rajasthan. According to some reports, the other names rumored to be considered for the coveted chief ministerial role in Rajasthan are Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Diya Kumari. [Pic: File Photo]

“I will work for 'Sabka Vishwas' & the promises made to the people of Chhattisgarh under 'Modi Ki Guarantee' will be fulfilled," said Vishnu Deo Sai, the newly appointed CM of Chattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai. CM Sai served as state BJP chief from 2020-2022, and was appointed Chhattisgarh's new Chief Minister on Tuesday. He becomes the second tribal CM after Ajit Jogi, who was denotified as tribal in 2019. Sai has a long political career - he was Union Minister of State for Steel in PM Modi's first cabinet and a four-time Lok Sabha MP from Raigarh from 1999-2014. Born in Jashpur as a member of the Kanwar tribe, Sai started in politics as Madhya Pradesh MLA before Chhattisgarh state was formed. In recent polls, he won from Kunkuri defeating Congress' UD Minj. An agriculturist by profession, Sai takes over the reins from Congress' Bhupesh Baghel.

The BJP has appointed former state president Vishnu Deo Sai, a tribal leader, as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, replacing Congress' Bhupesh Baghel. Sai was elected leader at a meeting of 54 BJP MLAs in Raipur. "As a CM, I will try to fulfil Modi's guarantees through my government. Sanctioning 18 lakh houses under the housing scheme will be the first work," Sai said after his appointment. The party preferred an experienced senior leader with tribal roots over other contenders like MP Renuka Singh and ex-CM Raman Singh. Top leaders including Union ministers were present for Sai's election as the legislative party leader.

  Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy paid a visit to a Hyderabad hospital, checking on former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao recovering from hip replacement surgery. The 69-year-old BRS supremo had a fall days after Assembly election results. Shifted to Yashoda Hospital, KCR underwent successful surgery on December 7. Revanth Reddy's visit, marked by well-wishing, conveyed a rare moment of political camaraderie. Despite political differences, the Congress leader expressed hopes for KCR's swift recovery, highlighting a temporary pause in usual political discourse amid concerns for the senior leader's health.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared “I will not give up” appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, despite the UN Security Council recently “failing” to pass a resolution demanding truce amid Israel’s devastating military campaign. “Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary,” Guterres affirmed. The stalemate erodes UN credibility as Gaza verges on “hell on earth” per the UN Palestinian aid chief. Meanwhile, Jordan's foreign minister charged Israel is stoking “an amount of hatred” that will “haunt the region" and “define generations.” Guterres remains undeterred, insisting "I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire.”

The Income Tax department deployed additional cash-counting machines and personnel on Sunday to expedite processing of the over Rs 290 crore seized so far in raids on properties linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu. This likely record haul came from premises connected to a liquor company associated with Sahu. The Congress distanced itself from the MP, with spokesperson Jairam Ramesh stating Sahu alone can explain the recovered cash. Initially, 30 IT officers and bank staff counted the money, but with substantial funds left, around 40 counting machines and more staff were brought in to speed up operations. The IT team also recorded statements from company officials and others related to the case against the Rajya Sabha member.